Healthy kids = happy kids!

Summertime is in full swing, which means kids are out of school and parents often are anxious for ideas on helping their kiddos stay busy. While the Oklahoma heat sometimes makes it tempting to stay inside during the summer months, it’s important to remember that regular exercise is something children need to be happy and healthy.

 Benefits of Kids Exercising Regularly:

1. Have stronger muscles and bones
2. Maintain a healthy body weight
3. Reduce the risk of developing type 2 Diabetes
4. Sleep better
5. Feel less stressed
6. Reduce the risk for developing some diseases later in life, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol
7. Feel more able to focus on other important tasks, like schoolwork
8. Develop healthy habits that they can continue using as they grow!

On average, children should exercise for 60 minutes daily to receive these benefits. When it’s hot outside, there are lots of ways to be creative about staying active. The month of July provides a unique opportunity to enjoy local attractions as a family, as it is National Park and Recreation month! The City of Norman has many parks that provide play areas for children and shady spots for parents to spend time while watching their kids play. There are also two free splash pads in Norman where families can be active and stay cool. Being active as a family is a great way to build healthy habits for children and fun memories that can last a lifetime!

 - Emily Deardorf, MSW; Children's Therapist at the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI)

Bringing “April” to June and July

Kristi McClatchy during Neighborhood Centers field trip

I am the daughter of a preacher and a coach. It’s little wonder that my childhood summers were devoted to sports camps and vacation Bible school.  I recall one vacation Bible school I attended in Orlando, Florida when I was 9-years-old; it was the ultimate Bible school experience. The camp was located in a five star hotel with pool-side devotionals, catered meals, and a full day at Disney World. These were events that we believe children dream of having. Interestingly enough, I have almost no recollection of such “impressionable” events.  I have a vague memory of seeing Cinderella’s castle, but that’s about it. What I remember most about this Bible school was the time I spent with my counselor.  Her name was April, and she had three major interests: staring at the male chaperones, talking about how “dreamy” the male chaperones were and hanging out with me.

April made me feel like I was the coolest kid on the face of the planet. She had a genuine interest in who I was. I vividly remember her introducing herself to me the first day of camp. She shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and told me that she was so excited that I had decided to come to the camp. Throughout the week she took extra time to make sure I felt comfortable and included – I was incredibly shy. Looking back, I realize that she coached me through several social interactions with my peers. Without her help, I honestly doubt I would have made as many friends as I did.

Neighborhood Centers 2011 Summer Youth Enrichment Program

On the last day of Bible school, April gave me a letter telling me that I could do anything, that I was special, and that I was of great value. It is a letter I still have to this day. She was one of the first grownups in my life other than my parents or my teachers who took the time to get to know me.  She made an everlasting impression on the person I am today.

Now I am working at the Center for Children and Families, Inc.(CCFI) Neighborhood Centers’ program. As we begin our Summer Youth Enrichment Program this week, I find myself often thinking, “We have to take the children to the Natural History Museum because Sam loves dinosaurs,” or “I need to schedule a rock climbing trip because Trey asked to go again this Summer.” Sometimes I feel myself primarily focusing on providing the children I serve with the most fantastic field trips, the most delicious and nutritious food, and the most educational opportunities.

Indeed, most of the children I serve have had limited experiences such as these.  We all want nothing but the absolute best for the children in Neighborhood Centers. They are so precious.  They deserve to have the same wonderful opportunities I, and most others, had growing up. However, while I recognize these types of experiences are central to enriching the lives of children, I hope that I never lose sight of how significant building a positive relationship really is.

I only hope that I will be some child’s April during the course of our Summer Youth Enrichment Program.

- Kristi McClatchy, Neighborhood Centers AmeriCorps Member

Family Wellness Month

It’s hard to believe that May is upon us, and with it of course comes spring weather. In Oklahoma, however,that actually means warm summer weather! Memorial Day marks the return of family get-togethers which means lots of good food, BBQ, fried chicken, potato salad, and yummy desserts. Which all coincides with something May is a little less well known for -- Family Wellness Month.

Never heard of it?  Well Family Wellness Month is a way to publicize healthy family lifestyles and habits. The healthier each individual family is, the healthier an entire community can be overall.  And then maybe Oklahoma could break our cycle of being one of the 10 UNHEALTHIEST states in the nation!  Yuck!

What is important to remember is that the choices, habits, and activities we make now continue for a long time.  Here are some healthy ideas of things you can do with your family to increase your family’s emotional, physical, and mental wellness this month that will hopefully transform into healthier habits that will last the rest of the year!

Take your children or grandchildren to a neighborhood park, swing on the swings or play on the teeter totter.  They do still have them, right?  Even better, if there is a playground close by, just walk to get a little extra exercise.  The key word is “move”.   Move off the couch and out into the yard, the park, walk at the mall, just move!

Change your eating habits.  Even making a few small changes can make a difference. Eating lean meats, more fruits and veggies results in fewer bulges around the tummy and more energy to do the things you enjoy!  It doesn’t mean that you can’t eat a piece of fried chicken or indulge in your favorite dessert…moderation and portions are the key.  Watch your portions!  Do not supersize your food, rather eat smaller portions which can equal getting into those favorite pair of shorts!

So this May get your family started on the choices that will last them and you a lifetime and embrace Family Wellness Month by making your family just a little healthier!  

-Karen Walker, LPC, LMFT, LADC, Director of Service Operations

Girl Power group offers middle schoolers guidance and friendship

For many girls, middle school becomes a pressure cooker filled with power struggles, conflicting impulses, physical growth and strong emotions. Girls at this age mostly talk.  Cliques get clique-ier, the need to be in power intensifies, girls can get meaner- and much of this behavior stems from the intense desire to belong. At the same time, middle-school girls develop deep and close friendships, separating from their families and forming their own rewarding social universes.

Out of our Neighborhood Centers after school and evening program, 55 girls meet each month to help each other navigate through these waves of middle school via a special group called: Girl Power!

CCFI Neighborhood Centers Girl Power Group

Developed out of on-going requests from the girls in the Neighborhood Centers program wanting to spend more time with female staff and volunteers, the Girl Power group elects to spend one Friday night per month addressing topics such as fitting in, schoolwork stress, bullying, concerns about being judged, boys, cliques, relationships with family members, and more through all sorts of activities and conversations.

For instance, this past Friday the Girl Power group discussed the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty and the first step in building self-esteem was taken- talking about it. Once the conversation was started the girls began to relate with one another and saw that they weren't alone in battling the issues that they face. Each month interactions like these lead to more friendships based on personality and shared interest rather than looks- which causes many girls enormous amounts of pain. Having a strong support system, one where all feelings are valid and listened to can make a world of difference in helping girls 'hold it together' when braving some of those "middle-school storms."

Through interactions like these, each young woman is given the opportunity to hang out, belong and connect with girls they might not be friends with in other settings. For most girls, friends form the center of their lives. Friends light up girls' days in preschool, become inseparable in elementary school, and help girls in middle school develop their own, separate lives- it's through Girl Power, that we try to help them enjoy the ups and survive the downs of their ever evolving social lives with confidence.


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